Hieroglyphs to Hype: The Modern Afterlife of Ancient Egypt

This exhibition will explore the enduring fascination with ancient Egyptian art and culture (dubbed “Egyptomania” by 19th-century Europeans) through a selection of paintings, prints, photographs, and decorative art ranging from the early 19th century through the present day.

Explore the Exhibition

Browse Selected Images

Enjoy a sampling of featured photos below. To see the full collection and additional images from this exhibition, view the album on Flickr.

Schedule of Events

Events listed below with a location are live, in-person programs. When possible, those events will also be streamed and the recordings posted to our YouTube channel.

Register for Events

Opening Night Event: Hieroglyphs to Hype: The Modern Afterlife of Ancient Egypt

Thursday, September 17, 5:30 p.m.

Exhibition Curator Megan Paqua in conversation with Curator of Education Michelle DiMarzo.

Dolan Event Hall and streaming on Arts & Minds Live

Reception: Hieroglyphs to Hype: The Modern Afterlife of Ancient Egypt

Thursday, September 17, 6:30 p.m.

Bellarmine Hall Galleries and Great Hall

Art in Focus: Audrey Flack, Lux Eternal, 2022

Audrey Flack, Lux Eternal, 2022, acrylic and mixed media on canvas. Lent by the Estate of Audrey Flack. © Audrey Flack Foundation

Thursday, September 25, noon and 1 p.m.

Bellarmine Hall Galleries and streaming on Arts & Minds Live

Gallery Talk: Wrapped for Eternity: Ancient Egyptian “Mummies”

Thursday, October 1, 5 p.m.

Exhibition Curator Megan Paqua
Bellarmine Hall Galleries
Space limited and registration is required

Art in Focus: David Roberts, The Hypostyle Hall of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, Egypt, 1849

Thursday, October 8, noon and 1 p.m.

David Roberts, The Hypostyle Hall of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, Egypt, 1849, oil on panel. Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, B1981.25.534. Image courtesy of Yale Center for British Art

Bellarmine Hall Galleries and streaming on Arts & Minds Live

Lecture: “New Media, Old Tropes? The Rebirth of Ancient Egypt in Video Games”

Thursday, October 29, 5:30 p.m.

Kate Minniti, PhD (Pratt Institute, Visiting Assistant Professor, History of Art and Design Department)
Part of the Edwin L. Weisl, Jr. Lectureships in Art History, funded by the Robert Lehman Foundation
Dogwood Room and streaming on Arts & Minds Live

Lecture: “Egyptian Antiquities as Archeological Ambassadors in New York” [title tbd]

Thursday, November 5, 5:30 p.m.

Elizabeth Macaulay, PhD (Professor of Liberal Studies, Anthropology, Classics, Middle Eastern Studies & Digital Humanities, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York)

Presented in conjunction with Hieroglyphs to Hype: The Modern Afterlife of Ancient Egypt (September 18-December 12, 2026)
Part of the Edwin L. Weisl, Jr. Lectureships in Art History, funded by the Robert Lehman Foundation
Dogwood Room and streaming on Arts & Minds Live

Art in Focus: Jane Hammond, Spells + Incantations, 2007

Thursday, November 12, noon and 1 p.m.

Jane Hammond, Spells + Incantations, 2007, lithograph and screenprint in colors with Chine-collé and gold leaf. Fairfield University Art Museum, Museum Purchase 2024, 2024.30.01. © Jane Hammond

Bellarmine Hall Galleries and streaming on Arts & Minds Live

Thank You

The Fairfield University Art Museum is deeply grateful to the following corporations, foundations, and government agencies for their generous support of our exhibitions and programs.

We also acknowledge the generosity of the Museum’s 2010 Society members, together with the many individual donors who are keeping our excellent exhibitions and programs free and accessible to all and who support our efforts to build and diversify our permanent collection.